Author Archives: Al Myers

Lifter of the Month – Dennis Mitchell

By Al Myers

Dennis Mitchell performing a One Arm Deadlift at the Ambridge Barbell Club, under the watchful eye of John McKean.

Dennis Mitchell performing a One Arm Deadlift at the Ambridge Barbell Club, under the watchful eye of John McKean.

The USAWA LIFTER OF THE MONTH for JUNE is Dennis Mitchell.   In June, Dennis made the trip to Cocoa Beach, Florida to compete in the USAWA National Championships.  The impressive fact of this is that it was the TWENTY NINTH USAWA National Championships that Dennis has competed in!  That’s the most of any lifter in the history of the USAWA – and a mark that will be hard to top.  Dennis was the oldest competitor at Nationals this year, and I’m sure he still has several more big meets in him.

Congrats Dennis!

Steve Andrews – IAWA Merit Award

By Al Myers

Steve Gardner (left) presenting the IAWA Merit Award to Steve Andrews (right)

Steve Gardner (left) presenting the IAWA Merit Award to Steve Andrews (right)

The second IAWA Merit Award of the night was awarded to Steve Andrews of England.  I have known Steve for many years, and have had the fortunate opportunity to share the platform with him several times at IAWA competitions.  Steve has always been a very complete All Round weightlifter, and is a technician in all lifts.  There’s really no lifts that he is not good at, and he ALWAYS places in the top when the points are calculated.  Past IAWA President Steve Gardner helped me out with Steve’s presentation, and gave his induction speech and presentation.  Steve G summed up Steve A’s IAWA resume perfectly, and gave a very moving speech which I would like to share in this blog.  Here it is, by Steve Gardner:

A little about Steve Andrews – 38 / 39 years in weightlifting by Steve Gardner

In 1979 Steve joined a night school for weightlifting in order to lose weight, later in 1980 he was introduced to the BAWLA All Round Scheme. (in the days before our drug free all round lifting organisation had begun) Steve, who was in his 20’s and had never been involved in sports, was surprised how much he loved the new challenge. At the Leicester club Frank Allen was always an inspiration to Steve, who also improved his ability by watching some of the other excellent technicians in all round weightlifting.

The rest is history, this multi-title winning British Champion especially enjoys his Single Arm lifting and is proud of winning the ‘best Single Arm’ title for many, many times over the years. Steve is proud of all his records and hopes to carry on lifting for as many years as his body will allow!

So Steve was lifting in All Round Weightlifting when we formed our International organisation way back in 1985, and without exception (I think) he is the only person who has lifted consistently throughout the last 33 years, even operations on elbows and stuff like that hasn’t kept him away for any lengthy periods, he is like the energiser battery bunny, he just keeps going and going. A competitor at Internationals abroad on occasions too, Steve has not missed many IAWA(UK) National events in all those years. Steve has been a referee for many years, and is always supportive and helpful to new lifters at events, always offering to help out with loading and whatever other tasks arise. Steve has become involved in the Committee work in more recent years, having held position as UK Chairman for some years now. Steve has also been active in supporting Frank Allen in running events and keeping the Leicester Club alive for many, many years too.

All in all, Steve’s dedication and unfaltering support to our beloved sport of all round weightlifting and all of those people involved therein is recognised as being outstanding, and deserving of the highest Award IAWA can present …the IAWA Award of Merit

Ladies and Gentleman I give you ‘Steve Andrews’

Denny Habecker – IAWA Merit Award

By Al Myers

Denny Habecker receiving the IAWA Merit Award from IAWA President Al Myers.

Denny Habecker receiving the IAWA Merit Award from IAWA President Al Myers.

At the 2018 IAWA World Championships Award Banquet, one of the highlights was the presentation of the IAWA Merit Awards. The Merit Award is the highest honor one can receive in IAWA.  The Merit Award goes “way beyond” just being an outstanding lifter.  To earn the award you must be a major contributer and leader in the organization for many years, and have given alot of yourself to our sport of All Round Weightlifting to make it a better organization.

The IAWA Merit Award is a Presidential Award, chosen and given by the IAWA President on behalf of the organization. It was my honor to have this responsibility, as I’ve always considered Denny as my role model in IAWA/USAWA.

I would like to share my speech I gave when presenting Denny the Merit Award:

I’m honored to be able to present Denny Habecker with this very prestigious IAWA Award. This is the highest award the IAWA has to present, and only a few have received it in the past. I have known Denny for many years, and throughout the year we spend lots of time with each other. I often jokingly refer to Denny as “Uncle Denny” as he seems like family to me.   We have traveled to many overseas IAWA meets together through the years, and I’ve spent many a nights at his and Judys house in Pennsylvania.  I’ve enjoyed many fine meals at their place, but I should recognize Judy for that instead of Denny! 

In looking over the many accomplishments Denny has had in the IAWA, it made me realize that I would need to narrow down the list or this speech would get too long. So I’m going to just hit a few highlights of Dennys involvement and accomplishments.  Here it goes –

  • Started training in 1957 when in highschool to prepare himself for highschool football
  • Competed in Olympic Lifting competitions in the early 60’s, as well as a few bodybuilding competitions (I’ve brought a few pictures along to confirm this as I’m sure some are doubting – so see me afterwards if you want to see a picture of Denny all oiled down and posing)
  • Was inspired to get involved in All Round Weightlifting in 1989, by the great John Vernacchio.   Denny was part of John’s Valley Forge Lifting Team and also entered many Masters Olympic Lifting Meets, including many Pan American Championships and World Championships
  • IAWA World Championship Meet Promoter 2002, 2005, 2009, and 2016
  • Has placed in the Top Ten Overall at Worlds many times – 6th in 2017, 4th in 2016, 6th in 2014, 4th in 2012, 8th in 2011, 9th in 2010, 5th in 2009, 8th in 2007, 4th in 2003, 6th in 2002, 6th in 2001, 10th in 2000, 3rd in 1999, 10th in 1997, and 10th in 1996,
  • Won Best Lifter Awards in his Age Group in 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009, and 1999,
  • IAWA Gold Cup Meet Promoter: 2006, 2008 and 2013
  • Holds many IAWA World Records
  • Has competed in over 20 IAWA World Championships, and over 20 Gold Cups
  • Founder of Habecker’s Gym, and has coached many lifters through the Years
  • Has served as an IAWA Vice President since 2004
  • Has served on the IAWA Technical Committee since 1996

Another thing about Denny I want to mention is I’ve always considered him my role model in All Round Lifting. When I first got started with IAWA Denny was one of the first to encourage me to compete at the IAWA level, beyond just USAWA competitions. I really doubt I would have made that first meet “overseas” without Denny’s support.  For that Denny – I owe you a lot of thanks.  

Denny is one of the most reliable people I know. He has given so much of his time and energy to IAWA, more than most realize. I don’t know how many times in the past when we have needed someone to “step up”, whether it’s a promotion or just attending an event that needs supported – Dennys always there and ready to do it. He has been a steady backbone of IAWA with his leadership, which goes away beyond what he has done on the platform. Our organization wouldn’t be as strong as it is without Denny.

Denny, I consider you one of my best friends. It gives me great honor to be able to present you with this award. Thank you for all you have done for IAWA.

Commitment Award

By Al Myers

IAWA Commitment Award winners for 2018.

IAWA Commitment Award winners for 2018.

After the Gold Cup, IAWA presented a new award – the IAWA Commitment Award. As President of IAWA, I presented this award to 13 very deserving lifters.  The intention of this award is to properly recognize those lifters that compete in ALL THREE of the IAWA competitions within the year. The certificate states:

This award recognizes those who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the International All Round Weightlifting Association by participating in the IAWA World Postal Championships, the IAWA World Championships, and the IAWA Gold Cup during the year of 2018.

The inaugeral class of Commitment Awards winners is:

Paul Barette
Ed Shorttle
Beata Banas
Jenny Wilson
Steve Andrews
Denny Habecker
Al Myers
LaVerne Myers
Gary Ell
Karen Gardner
Paul Hallam
Steve Moss
Graham Saxton

Again, a want to offer a BIG CONGRATS to all these Commitment Award winners. This will become an annual award given.

Most IAWA Meets Overseas

By Al Myers

Denny Habecker lifting at the 2018 IAWA Gold Cup - his 29th overseas IAWA competition!

Denny Habecker lifting at the 2018 IAWA Gold Cup – his 29th overseas IAWA competition!

On the way home from England following the Gold Cup, my dad and I were discussing on the plane how much fun we had on the trip.  Especially since we were able to compete in BOTH big IAWA events (the Worlds and the Gold Cup) on this one trip. It’s the first time in the history of IAWA that one meet promoter hosted both the World Championships and the Gold Cup. My hat is off to Paul Barette for pulling off two great comps over the course of two “back to back” weekends. Not too many people would want to do that!  I doubt it will ever happen again.

Well, the flight was a long one from London to Denver (10 hours!) for my dad and I so we had plenty of time to talk about things.  One thing that came up was dad asking me who has traveled the most from the USAWA to IAWA events overseas. I had a couple of “guesses” at the time, but I really didn’t know for sure.  It takes a HUGE committment to travel overseas to an IAWA event. On top of the big financial cost, it takes time away from home, and for most this involves using up vacation days.  I always encourage USAWA members to take part in an overseas IAWA event, but I sure understand why lifters can’t do it.  However, going to IAWA meets overseas has been one of the most enjoyable things I’ve been part of in my life.  I’ve made many great friends all over the world and have seen places I would never have seen if it wasn’t for a World Championships or Gold Cup to take me there.

Once I got home I kept thinking about Dad’s question, so I’ve done a little research and now know the answer to the question “what USAWA lifters have made the most trips overseas to either the World Champs or the Gold Cup?”. Our President, Denny Habecker, leads the list by a big margin by attending 29 overseas IAWA comps!!!  That’s very impressive to say the least.  Here is the TOP TEN:

1. Denny Habecker – 29 trips

2. Dennis Mitchell – 15 trips

3. Al Myers – 13 trips

4T. Art Montini – 11 trips

4T. Howard Prechtel – 11 trips

4T. John Vernacchio – 11 trips

7. Noi Phumachona – 9 trips

8. Frank Ciavattone – 8 trips

9T. Bob Geib –  6 trips

9T. Chad Ullom – 6 trips

Overall, 40 USAWA lifters have attended an overseas IAWA event through the years.  Several have only been to 1 or 2.  Also, at EVERY Worlds and Gold Cup overseas there has been at least one USAWA lifter on the platform.  That’s a streak I hope we continue.  One person who is not in the TOP TEN but needs mentioned is Denny’s wife, Judy.  Judy was in the number 11 spot with competing in 5 Gold Cups overseas, but she has been at most of the meets with Denny and has helped at the scoring table many, many times.

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